The British government has approved the sale of the state-owned Royal Mail to Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský for €4.3 billion, following assurances that one of the world’s oldest postal services will be safeguarded.
Under the agreement, Křetínský has committed to preserving Royal Mail’s postal network, keeping the service headquartered in the UK, and allowing the British government to retain a “golden share”, granting it authority to approve any major changes in ownership.
The government stated that the deal secures the future of thousands of workers and customers while ensuring financial stability for Royal Mail.
Royal Mail is one of Britain’s oldest institutions, established in the early 16th century as a service exclusively for the royal court. By the 17th century, it transitioned into a public postal service.